[Intro] I was tryna read pages (yeah) They was tryna read faces (uh) Highlighters, handcuffs Same block, different cages [Verse 1] Backpack, bent spine Couple worksheets, one white lie Tell my mom I'm at the library Really ducking from the sirens in the night sky Loose leaf, loose screws Whole clique learned pain before school Teacher talk about "follow your dreams" But the dreams got jumped at the bus stop too Kitchen table, cracked screen glow Homework sitting by the pistol and the payroll Uncle say "you soft, better harden up" I just keep my head down, tryna mark up notes [Chorus] Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me smoke, they handed me burns Born with books in a war zone, war zone Writing my name while they carving they own Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me rage, they handed me turns Round and around in the same cold road I’m just tryna turn this ghetto to gold (to gold) [Verse 2] Lunch line, thin tray, thick fear Guidance counselor never really came near Said "college on the hill if you make it there" But the block taking bets like a game here Friends split, half class, half casket Graduation gown or a chalk outline jacket I keep flash cards in my side pocket While they tuck steel in they waist, tryna outfox it Mama praying over each test Same voice praying over each vest I’m highlighting verbs in a word set While the block highlighting names on a curb step [Chorus] Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me smoke, they handed me burns Born with books in a war zone, war zone Writing my name while they carving they own Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me rage, they handed me turns Round and around in the same cold road I’m just tryna turn this ghetto to gold (yeah, to gold) [Bridge] What if the nerds ran the whole side? What if the thugs got a second try? What if the test was just staying alive? What if the brightest ones all survived? (oh) Got these scars on the same hands That be flipping through pages and making plans If I make it off this block one day I’ma build a little door where the wall once stand [Chorus] Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me smoke, they handed me burns Born with books in a war zone, war zone Writing my name while they carving they own Hey, I just wanted to study and learn They handed me rage, they handed me turns Round and around in the same cold road I’m just tryna turn this ghetto to gold [Outro] Backpack, bent spine Still here, still underline Same block, same pressure on my neck But I’m walking out the trap with a test I ain’t checked (yeah)